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Thread started 04 Apr 2013 (Thursday) 07:42
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Best Option For Youth Sports?

 
bmaxphoto
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Apr 04, 2013 07:42 |  #1

So my kids are entering the ages of youth sports. Oldest daughter starts T-ball on Saturday, next in line should start soccer in another year or so. I currently have an XT, a 60D, 18-55 IS, 55-250 IS, 28 f/1.8, 50 f/1.4, 50 f/1.8, 85 f/1.8, and Sigma 10-20. I hope to get a nice refurb 70-200 f/4 IS sometime in the next 12 months.

My first question is do you think that the 60D with that lens is a decent sports setup? I am thinking of looking for a used/refurb 7D once the supposed successor arrives. If it never does, then hopefully prices will hold steady or drop a bit in the next 6-8 months on the 7D.

My second question is what IQ improvements would I see going from the 55-250 to the 70-200? Enough to justify the cost? Is 200 (320) adequate for youth sports when compared to the 250 (400) of my current lens?

Thoughts? I love the 60D by the way, just wondering if the focus abilities and fps improvement of the 7D are worth it for youth sports. Thanks in advance.


"When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence." ~Ansel Adams

  
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JVthePT
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Apr 04, 2013 07:57 |  #2

For youth sports you are most likely shooting outdoors during daylight. For this the 60d and nifty two-fifty is a good combo. The 60d is great under these conditions and I wouldn't think increased frame rate would be of benefit.
I just added the 6d but ONLY for the low light benefit over the 60d. If the 60d could deliver better low light performance I wouldn't upgrade. But my kids are in JH and HS so more and more night games/events and really poorly lit gymnasiums.
If you were to upgrade anything, I'd go glass first. I traded out the 55-250 for a 70-300L and it KICKS BUTT on the 60d with daylight action shooting!!


6D & 7D mark II - Canon 16-35 f/4 IS L, Canon 24-70 f/2.8 L, Canon 24-105 f/4 L IS, Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS II L, Canon 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 L IS II, Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM, Canon 85 f/1.8, Canon 100 f/2.8 USM macro, Canon EF 1.4x III
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bmaxphoto
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Apr 04, 2013 08:08 |  #3

JVthePT wrote in post #15789588 (external link)
For youth sports you are most likely shooting outdoors during daylight. For this the 60d and nifty two-fifty is a good combo. The 60d is great under these conditions and I wouldn't think increased frame rate would be of benefit.
I just added the 6d but ONLY for the low light benefit over the 60d. If the 60d could deliver better low light performance I wouldn't upgrade. But my kids are in JH and HS so more and more night games/events and really poorly lit gymnasiums.
If you were to upgrade anything, I'd go glass first. I traded out the 55-250 for a 70-300L and it KICKS BUTT on the 60d with daylight action shooting!!

Thanks! That lens wasn't even on my radar. I will check it out. I also want to get into some local MS and HS sports shoots for friends and possibly some side money, so low light/high ISO is also important to me. To be honest, what I really want is the 5D3, just gotta figure out how to fund it. Thanks again.


"When words become unclear, I shall focus with photographs. When images become inadequate, I shall be content with silence." ~Ansel Adams

  
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bobbyz
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Apr 04, 2013 08:27 |  #4

Money on lens not body. I would take older 1dmk2 but with nicer lens than even used 7d and so so lens. Newer 70-300L seems quite nice though f5.6. Personally I would take 70-200mm f2.8 non IS.


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mickeyb105
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Apr 04, 2013 08:34 |  #5

Just my .02 as a someone who shoots sports for a local paper, but if you are going to shoot sports at night or indoors you will need at least a 2.8 aperture lens (generally) on the 60D to get the results you and your clients want.

For about $500 used, the IQ and AF on the 200 2.8L ii is stunning. I would keep the 55-250 for daytime sports. Your 50 and 85 will be good for action closer up. If you want a zoom, I've seen the 3rd party 70-200 2.8's in the $500's used.

Your 60D is definitely enough camera for anything you will shoot and while the 7D offers more sophisticated AF, I never shoot a HS football game and wish my AF was better. The IQ between the two cameras is basically the same (same sensor).


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amfoto1
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Apr 04, 2013 08:58 |  #6

The 60D will be just fine for sports photography. I use a pair of them, but 7D would be only a mild upgrade for most people. Shooting with 50Ds in the past (same AF system as 60D) I could nail focus on moving subjects about 95% of the time. With 7D, it's 97% of the time. Is that level of improvement worth the upgrade? 8 fps vs 5 fps might get me a few more "perfect poses"... but also means more editing and trashed shots. I use 7D for their durability and sealing, mainly, as well as that last little edge in focus speed and accuracry. But in the right hands, 60D can do 90 or 95% of what 7D can do, and is a bit lighter, smaller too... plus has the nice articulated LCD, locking mode dial, which 7D doesn't (the dial lock can be added for about $100).

The 70-200/4 IS will not improve on image quality of your 55-250 significantly. However, it will focus faster and more accurately. It is also considerably better built and more durable lens, as well as better sealed against dust and moisture. The IS is more sophisticated, too. Might be a little more effective, but mainly it knows when to turn itself off, such as when locked down on a tripod. Also, you can fit it with a tripod mounting ring, which can be useful.

Your 60D is identical to 7D low light/high ISO performance. You should be able to shoot at ISO 3200 without much extra effort. Your best investment might be in a good noise reduction s'ware and add'l post processing skills. With some effort, you can shoot higher than 3200 with these cameras.

Yes, an f2.8 lens would be nice, but is bigger, heavier and more expensive... some skillful post processing might substitute. Rather than an f2.8 zoom, you might consider adding a few faster primes, which can be one or two stops faster than any zoom. It sort of depends upon what access you have to the events. If shooting from the sidelines, the focal lengths you need will be different from shooting from the bleachers.

If you are going to shoot commercially at the games (i.e., if you are going to get paid), you need permission from the school/organizer. Before starting to count on making any money, find out if there's already a photographer working the games. If the school/organizer has someone under contract, you might find yourself in violation of that agreement.


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5DII, 7DII, 7D, M5 & others. 10-22mm, Meike 12/2.8,Tokina 12-24/4, 20/2.8, EF-M 22/2, TS 24/3.5L, 24-70/2.8L, 28/1.8, 28-135 IS (x2), TS 45/2.8, 50/1.4, Sigma 56/1.4, Tamron 60/2.0, 70-200/4L IS, 70-200/2.8 IS, 85/1.8, Tamron 90/2.5, 100/2.8 USM, 100-400L II, 135/2L, 180/3.5L, 300/4L IS, 300/2.8L IS, 500/4L IS, EF 1.4X II, EF 2X II. Flashes, strobes & various access. - FLICKR (external link)

  
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Apr 04, 2013 09:10 |  #7

bmaxphoto wrote in post #15789558 (external link)
So my kids are entering the ages of youth sports. Oldest daughter starts T-ball on Saturday, next in line should start soccer in another year or so. I currently have an XT, a 60D, 18-55 IS, 55-250 IS, 28 f/1.8, 50 f/1.4, 50 f/1.8, 85 f/1.8, and Sigma 10-20. I hope to get a nice refurb 70-200 f/4 IS sometime in the next 12 months.

My first question is do you think that the 60D with that lens is a decent sports setup? I am thinking of looking for a used/refurb 7D once the supposed successor arrives. If it never does, then hopefully prices will hold steady or drop a bit in the next 6-8 months on the 7D.

My second question is what IQ improvements would I see going from the 55-250 to the 70-200? Enough to justify the cost? Is 200 (320) adequate for youth sports when compared to the 250 (400) of my current lens?

Thoughts? I love the 60D by the way, just wondering if the focus abilities and fps improvement of the 7D are worth it for youth sports. Thanks in advance.


Actual sports images from a Canon 60D.

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The use of a Canon 60D in no way impeded the creation of these sports action images. The main factor was in pushing the shutter button at the correct time and having the camera and lens pointed in the right direction. The manner in which equipment is used is the main factor in getting useful images. Money doesn't buy success.

However, one piece of equipment that would be useful is a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, which offers a good combination of reach and light gathering capacity. A relatively inexpensive non-stabilized Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 (external link) was used in the above example images.



  
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mrgooch
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Apr 04, 2013 09:12 |  #8

7D plus 70-200 f4 for outdoor sports,keep your eyes open for a used one.



  
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JVthePT
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Apr 04, 2013 10:50 |  #9

Had you mentioned you wanted to shoot HS and middle school night sports for money I would have suggested getting a used 70-200 f/2.8 L non IS. The 60d is a very capable camera.


6D & 7D mark II - Canon 16-35 f/4 IS L, Canon 24-70 f/2.8 L, Canon 24-105 f/4 L IS, Canon 70-200 f/2.8 IS II L, Canon 100-400 f/4.5-5.6 L IS II, Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM, Canon 85 f/1.8, Canon 100 f/2.8 USM macro, Canon EF 1.4x III
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Best Option For Youth Sports?
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